SASSA Gold Cards No Longer Work

SASSA Gold Cards No Longer Work. Over a million social grant beneficiaries in South Africa are facing renewed challenges in accessing their Sassa grants as their Sassa gold cards have officially expired. The discontinuation of these cards is expected to impact a significant number of people who rely on social grants for financial support.

Postbank Confirms Sassa Gold Cards Have Expired

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has been distributing social grants through gold cards issued by Postbank. However, Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe has confirmed that these Sassa gold cards no longer work, creating concerns among beneficiaries who depend on their grants for daily survival. This development is set to affect over one million beneficiaries who have yet to transition to the new Postbank black cards. The Sassa grants impacted by this transition include:

• Older Persons Pension Grant
• Disability Grant
• War Veterans Grant
• Care Dependency Grant
• Foster Child Grant
• Child Support Grant
• Child Support Grant Top-Up
• Grant-in-Aid
• As of Thursday, 20 March 2025, beneficiaries will no longer be able to use their gold cards for transactions or withdrawals. Attempting to use an expired card at an ATM could result in the card being swallowed, preventing further access to funds.

What Should Sassa Beneficiaries Do Now?

While the transition may cause inconvenience, Postbank has assured beneficiaries that their grant money remains safe. Those who have not yet replaced their Sassa gold cards with the new Postbank black card can still collect their grants at Post Office branches by providing identification and their PIN. Beneficiaries are urged to visit their nearest Postbank facility to obtain a new black card as soon as possible. This ensures a seamless continuation of grant payments without unnecessary delays.

Rollout of Postbank Black Cards

To facilitate the transition, Postbank has established over 320 distribution sites across South Africa where beneficiaries can receive their new Postbank black cards. Despite efforts to expedite the process, only about one million of the nearly three million beneficiaries have received their new cards.

For those unable to visit a Postbank branch due to medical reasons, Sassa provides an alternative method. Beneficiaries who are bedridden can register for a home visit at a Sassa office. To qualify, they must present:

• A medical certificate confirming their condition
• Their ID document
• Proof of medical condition
• A cellphone number for communication

This registration can be done by visiting a Sassa office, calling the Sassa call centre, or reaching out to the Postbank call centre. Additionally, beneficiaries can nominate a trusted proxy to collect their grants on their behalf.

Will Beneficiaries Lose Their Grants?

Postbank has reassured beneficiaries that no one will be left without their social grant payments due to the expired cards. Alternative collection methods are in place to ensure continued access to funds. Beneficiaries are encouraged to act quickly in transitioning to the Postbank black card to avoid disruptions in future payments.

Challenges in the Transition Process

Despite assurances from Postbank, the rollout of the black cards has been met with criticism. Parliamentary committees have labeled the process as inefficient, citing delays and poor communication with grant recipients. Initially, Postbank had assured beneficiaries that Sassa gold cards would remain valid until all recipients had received a replacement. However, in early 2025, the agency announced that the Sassa gold cards would stop working by the end of February. After pressure from stakeholders, an extension was granted until March 20, 2025.

Conclusion

With the expiration date now confirmed, Sassa grant beneficiaries must take immediate action and obtain their Postbank black cards. While the process may seem overwhelming, assistance is available through Sassa offices, Postbank branches, and call centres.